Best New Places to Eat in Marin

Marin is a covert culinary destination, with exquisite farm-to-table, fast casual and specialty joints. Rounding up fresh cafes, restaurants and bars, we update this list every month with the best new places to eat in Marin.

For even more food content, broken down by town, check out our Where to Eat page.

Kuro Nami Japanese Kitchen

A beautifully presented sushi dish from one of the Best New Places to Eat in Marin features three pieces of sushi topped with assorted sashimi slices, microgreens, and orange roe. Two small daisies are placed in the foreground for decoration, all set on a dark, elegant plate with a blurred background.
Photo by Proynil Thongnil.

Spicy tuna rolls topped with salmon, grilled yellowtail collar with ponzu sauce, authentic Japanese hamburger steak and even sake cocktails to pair with a menu of creative sushi creations. Kuro Nami Japanese Kitchen, sister restaurant to The Baan Thai Cuisine, is a new outpost in San Anselmo for donburi, kani miso, fried dishes, sashimi and sushi. 

69 Center Blvd., San Anselmo, 415.459.6969

Fairfax Brewing Company

A plate of glazed chicken wings with a dipping sauce and celery sticks, served on a dark table. In the background, two drinks—one dark and one light—complete this delightful scene at one of the Best New Places to Eat in Marin.
Photo by Alex Farnum.

A new destination for brews and bites, Fairfax Brewing Company is elevating the classic pub experience. Familiar favorites like wings, nachos and a “lights out” burger complement Asian fare like lumpia and Thai noodle salad — all waiting to balance out your pick of Pilsner, hazy IPA or any one of the other beers on tap. 

765 Center Blvd., Fairfax, 415.859.9551

“Secret Sushi”

A person wearing a dark apron and white shirt is carefully preparing a hand roll behind a wooden counter at one of the Best New Places to Eat Marin. The hand roll, comprised of seaweed, rice, and various fillings like fish and vegetables, showcases their meticulous craftsmanship.
Photo courtesy of Bungalow Kitchen.

The Bungalow Kitchen in Tiburon launched a special dining experience along with new sushi offerings a la carte on the main menu. Book the tasting menu for a night of “secret sushi,” an omakase crafted by Chef Yukinori Yama with just 12 seats each night. Translated literally, omakase means “I leave it up to you,” and with Chef Yama, you’re in good hands. 

5 Main St., Tiburon, 415.366.4088

Additions to Comforts 

A spacious, modern café with wooden floors and large windows letting in natural light. The café, often hailed as one of the Best New Places to Eat Marin, features pendant lights, a central counter displaying pastries, and areas labeled for pick-up, salads, coffee, and sandwiches. Green chairs are set up along the wall.
Photo courtesy of Comforts.

Comforts just made it that much easier to get their Chinese chicken salad. Comforts renovated their take-out space to become the “Marketplace,” with a new layout for better flow — in addition to a remodel of the main restaurant. 

335 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo, 415.454.9840

It’s Cocktail O’Clock in Mill Valley

Fruity cocktail from Piazza d'Angelo Mill Valley
Photo courtesy of Piazza d’Angelo.

Two Miller Avenue joints are adding crafty libations to their menus. First, Piazza d’Angelo welcomes a new general manager, Indira Diaz, alongside a new craft cocktail program. Grappa, prosecco and martinis abound on their Italian-inspired menu. 

Second, Watershed has developed a thoughtful cocktail menu with the help of mixologist Scott Beattie, who has helmed bar programs around Wine Country and San Francisco. Refreshing drinks balance the restaurant’s indoor-outdoor setting, like yuzu and cucumber combinations or a twist on the Hemingway daiquiri. 

Buvette du Marais

Blueberry and strawberry fruit tarts from Buvette du Marais bakery in Larkspur
Photo courtesy of @lemaraisbakery

Le Marais, renowned for its French pastries and baked goods, is expanding with a new opening in Larkspur at the Marin Country Mart. Don’t miss their freshly baked breads.

2201 Larkspur Landing Cir., Larkspur, 415.888.3695

Angela’s Organic Ice Cream

ice cream cone with sprinkles from Angela's ice cream
Photo courtesy of Angela’s Ice Cream Facebook.

Angela’s Organic Ice Cream, just opened a new store in Mill Valley. Their artisan ice creams are made in-house with over 90% organic, locally sourced ingredients. Plus, they’re committed to sustainable practices, using compostable and reusable materials.

67 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, 707.774.6567

TuTu Lounge

Bowl of red curry with chicken and edible flowers from Tutu Lounge in San Rafael
Photo courtesy of TuTu Lounge.

TuTu Lounge, located on 4th Street in the former Green Chile Kitchen & Bogie’s Too location, serves Pacific Rim cuisine — a fusion of Thai flavors in a vibrant, eclectic setting. Dishes include: dim sum, laksa, loco moco and fried chicken Benedicts. The business also offers catering and private party reservations, so you can elevate any occasion with ube lattes and tom yum prawn linguine. 

1335 Fourth St., San Rafael; 415.492.1530

Suzette

The door of Sausalito's Suzette bistro opens, facing the sun setting behind the bay and Angel Island
Photo by Susannah S.

Located in the old Bridgeway Cafe space, Suzette is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features an assortment of French classics including quiche lorraine, croque madame, steak frites and boeuf bourguignon. Unbeatable bay views, a chic interior and sidewalk seating make it not just a great spot to eat, but a destination on an already rich main street in Sausalito. 

633 Bridgeway, Sausalito; 415.324.7070

Corner Bar

A platter of salmon tartare from Corner Bar in Mill Valley, Marin
Photo by Kevin Blum.

Corner Bar is downtown Mill Valley’s first cocktail lounge… ever! Bring a date or simply come to unwind in Corner Bar’s sleek interior, which features two bars — one large, one small — plus plenty of window space overlooking the town square. A menu of Mediterranean bites, crafted by chef Michael Siegel of Playa and Floodwater, complements Corner Bar’s artfully crafted cocktails. No reservations required. Just go already!

106 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley; 415.888.8001

the shack.

Exterior of the ice cream restaurant "the Shack", looking into its interior through windows.
Photo courtesy of @the_shack_ice_cream_parlor

Waffle cones, smooth ice cream and everything you need from a classic ice cream parlor. The Shack is a sleek but homey shoppe on Magnolia Ave, equipped with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating nestled among towering redwoods. Great for birthday parties, scoops after a game or just a sweet treat on a warm afternoon. 

236 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur

Nick the Greek

A fork holds a falafel covered in tzatziki sauce from Nick the Greek in Greenbrae, California
Photo courtesy of Nick the Greek.

Started by a team of cousins all named Nick, Nick the Greek is a multi-location Greek chain, serving up delicious Mediterranean fare. A new franchise has opened in Greenbrae’s Bon Air Center, joining the Novato location as Marin’s second iteration of the restaurant. A great choice for lunch or dinner, diners can enjoy the classics of Mediterranean cuisine: gyro, souvlaki, falafel — all with a side of fries, please! 

300 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae.

Star Restaurant

The facade of Star Restaurant in Novato, California, with neon sign in window.
Photo by Sterling Reed.

Yeehaw! Star Restaurant in Novato is back, cowboy style. The new owners are continuing to serve the beloved American breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to new Latin American offerings. Whether you want pancakes or pupusas, you’ll find something to enjoy from Star’s massive menu. Slide into a booth and say howdy to your servers — decked out in cowboy garb!

1700 Novato Blvd, Novato; 415.897.1970

La Maison De La Reine

Vermicelli noodle bowl with egg roll and meat from Novato Vietnamese restaurant La Maison de la Reine.
Photo courtesy of La Maison de la Reine.

After 20 years at Town Center in Corte Madera, this Vietnamese eatery has moved to Grant Avenue in Novato. Not just serving up Vietnamese classics on their lunch and dinner menus — though they do serve great pho, banh mi, vermicelli noodle bowls and so much more — La Maison de la Reine also offers 15 kinds of boba and milk tea, including some dairy-free options. And vegetarians have plenty of options to choose from, making this restaurant a great stop in Downtown Novato. 

807 Grant Ave, Novato; 415.927.0288

LaVier Cusine at Toast

Photo by Debra Tarrant.

In the evenings from Sunday through Wednesday, LaVier Cuisine from Chef Guillermo Lara operates as a popup within Novato’s Toast restaurant. Delicious Latin fusion fills the large space in the Hamilton Marketplace. Tacos, ceviche, camarones and plantains complement homey curries and Thai influence. Pasta and plate entrees round out the sophisticated menu, with plenty of options for a range of diets. 

5800 Nave Dr, Novato; 415.382.1144

Ranch Water

Ranch Water bar in San Rafael
Photo courtesy of Ranch Water.

Ranch Water opened its remodeled San Rafael location, bringing new entertainment, music and tequila-forward cocktails to Fourth Street. Ranch Water was created by mixologist Johnny Metheny, AKA Johnny Love. Beyond tequila, Ranch Water boasts a full bar and more than a few TVs to catch your favorite sports. Look forward to weekly events like Margarita Mondays, karaoke on Wednesdays and live music Thursday and Saturday nights. 

“Ranch Water is more than a bar; it’s an experience,” said Johnny Love. “We’re bringing the spirit of San Francisco’s nightlife to San Rafael, blending tequila craftsmanship with sports, music, and good times.”

711 4th St, San Rafael; 415.785.4957